Quick install blade arms for ceiling fans

ABSTRACT

Quick attachable and detachable mounting arms for ceiling fans. A first version has flat headed fasteners initially attached to one end of mounting arms, with key-hole slots in the endshield of the ceiling fan motor. The user raises the mounting arm so that the flat headed fasteners fits through the larger openings in the keyhole slots and then pulls the mounting arm outward until the arm locks in place by the smaller opening portions of the keyhole slots. Rubber type gaskets and washers help lock and hold the mounting arms in place. The flat headed fasteners can also be located on the endshields with the keyhole slots on mounting arms. A second embodiment includes inwardly deformable springably snapable fasteners that can be located on the ends of the mounting arms which can deform inwardly and expand after passing through slots on the endshield of the rotor. Alternatively, the fasteners can be located on the bottom of the endshield with the receiving slots on the ends of the mounting arms. The different versions can include guide posts for allowing only one single fastener to be needed. A third embodiment allows the inwardly bendable snapable fasteners to be removable with screws.

This invention is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No.11/010,210 filed Dec. 10, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,210, which is aDivisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/924, 876 filedAug. 8, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,053, which is a DivisionalApplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/405,676 filed Sep. 24, 1999now U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,411, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/200,607 filed Nov. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.6,171,059, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 08/851,501 filed on May 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,306.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to ceiling fans, and in particular to easy andquick to attach and detach blade arms for overhead ceiling fans.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Most conventional ceiling fans are similarly installed. FIG. 1 shows apartial side view of a conventional ceiling fan unit 1 that encompassesa general prior art ceiling fan system. In FIG. 1, ceiling fan motor 10has rotor component 20 that rotates about a central axis beneath motor10, which is in turn connected to a housing 5 that is attached beneath aceiling 2. A plurality of fan blades 30 are connected to the rotor 20 bymounting arms 40. Each mounting arm 40 has one end 42 connected to anend 32 of each fan blade 30, and a second end 44 having at least twothrough-holes 45 therethrough, so that conventional fasteners such asscrews 50 pass through the through-holes 45 to mateably thread intothreaded holes 25 in the bottom of rotor 20.

Usually most conventional directions have the installer first connectand hang the motor 10, rotor 20 and housing 5 to a ceiling. More oftenthan not the installer is usually perched on a stool or ladder. Next,many directions have the installer attach the fan blades 30 to theirrespective mounting arms 40. Finally, one of the last steps is toconnect the blade 30 and respective mounting arm 40 to the rotor 20 onthe motor.

To finish this final assembly step takes great dexterity, patience,balance and time. In order for a single person 60 to be able to completethis final step, the installer 60 needs to hold in one hand 62 the fanblade 30 and already attached mounting arm 40, and to position a screwdriver 70 to the heads of screws 50 with the other hand 64. Theinstaller must be able to balance the mounting screws 50 on the tip ofthe screw driver 70, insert the screws upwardly though the holes 45 inthe mounting arm, making sure not to accidentally drop the screws 50 andthen screw the screws 50 into the mating holes 25 on the rotor 20 allwhile still holding the blade 30 and arm 40. This assembly requires theinstaller to have to constantly hold both hands 62 and 64 raised highabove their head while again standing on a stool or on a ladder.

Many problems occur from this traditional method of having one personinstalling a ceiling fan. Screws 50 can and do accidentally fall andbecome lost causing more time and more expense to finish theinstallation. The installer 60 often has to constantly re position theblade 30 and arm 40 in order to be able to properly line up thethrough-holes 45 in the mounting arms 40 with their respective matingholes 25 in the bottom of rotor 20. The blade 30 and mounting arm 40have been known to fall on and cause injury to the user 60 duringassembly. Additionally, the user can lose their balance and injurethemselves as well as falling off the ladder and stool. Additionalproblems also occur after installation. For example, uneven tighteningof each of the plural fasteners that connect the mounting arm to themotor has resulted in wobble effects when the ceiling fan system isrunning. Thus, the current operation of assembly has become known as afrustrating, undesirable, difficult, tedious, time consuming andsometimes dangerous task.

To merely add a second worker to help in the assembly installation maysolve some of the problems above, but would add additional cost andlabor expense to the installation project.

In addition to the difficulty of having to screw the blade arms onto theceiling fan motor endshield, the endshield contains unsightly screwheads that detract from the appearance of the ceiling fan itself.Another problem with using screw type fasteners is that the fastenersthemselves can loosen causing the blade arms and connected blades toaccidentally fall resulting in damages to surrounding property andpeople beneath the ceiling fans.

Additionally, ceiling fan blades and their blade arm supports need to becleaned to remove dirt and dust buildup. Existing fan blades and bladearms are hard to remove from the ceiling mounted motors. Thus, fanblades and their respective blade arms are left mounted on the ceilingmounted motors. Current techniques have relied on manually holdingbrushes directly to the ceiling mounted blades and blade arms whichinherently tires the muscles in the cleaner's neck, shoulders, arms andhands. This messy cleaning with brushes causes the dirt to fall on boththe cleaner and furniture and flooring beneath the fan.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The first objective of the present invention is to provide detachableblade arms for ceiling fans that are easy and quick to install.

The second objective of the present invention is to provide detachableblade arms for ceiling fans that allow each blade arm to be locked inplace to the motor housing.

The third objective of the present invention is to provide detachableblade arms for ceiling fans wherein the centrifugal force of the fanslocks the blades in place.

The fourth objective of the present invention is to allow a single userto safely and easily attach and detach a fan blade mounting arm to aceiling mounted fan motor.

The fifth object of this invention is to provide a detachable blademounting arm for a ceiling fan motor that does not use fasteners such asscrews.

The sixth object of this invention is to provide inwardly deformable andbendable fasteners that snapably expand locking the blade mounting armsto ceiling fan motors.

The seventh object of this invention is to provide guide posts forallowing the mounting arm to be guided onto its' attachment points onthe ceiling fan motor.

A first preferred embodiment of the novel invention device for attachingceiling fan mounting arms to ceiling fan motors includes a ceiling fanmotor having a rotating member, a mounting arm having a first endconnected to a fan blade and a second end, and a slide and lock meansfor connecting the second end of the mounting arm to the rotatingmember, wherein the slide and lock means allows the mounting arm toslide onto and lock with the rotating member. The slide and lock meanscan be one, two, three or more protruding members with respective slotsthat can be shaped like a keyhole. Each protruding member can be locatedon the second end of the mounting arm with the slot located on therotating member. Alternatively, the protruding member can be located onthe rotating member with the slot located on the mounting arm. Adeformable means such as a rubber gasket can also be used between themounting arm and the rotating member for creating vibration isolationand enhanced fit between these parts. Additionally, a spring means suchas a spring clip can be used for locking the arm to the rotating member.The blade arms can be made of materials such as but not limited toplastic, wood, and the like. The blade arms can be separate from theactual blades or be formed from one piece.

A second embodiment of the invention includes a quick snap installedblade arm for ceiling fans that includes a ceiling fan motor having arotating member, a blade mounting arm having a connecting end connectedto the rotating member, and a bendable snap fastener for attaching theconnecting end of the mounting arm to the rotating member wherein thesnap fastener allows the mounting arm to snap onto and lock with therotating member. The snap fastener can include inwardly bendable hookends above a shaft and a slot for receiving the inwardly bendable hookends and allowing the hook ends to expand after passing therethrough.The inwardly bendable hook ends can be located on the mounting arm withthe slot located on the rotating member. Alternatively, the inwardlybendable hook ends can be located on the rotating member with the slotlocated on the mounting arm. Alignment guide post(s) with receivingslot(s) can be used so that only one fastener needs to be used.

The third embodiment of the invention is a removable quick snapinstallable blade arm for ceiling fans that includes a ceiling fan motorhaving a rotating member, a blade mounting arm having a connecting endconnected to the rotating member, and a bendable snap fastener forattaching and detaching the connecting end of the mounting arm to therotating member, wherein the snap fastener allows the mounting arm tosnap onto and lock with the rotating member, and be removed from therotating member. The snap fastener can include bendable hook ends abovea shaft and a slot for receiving the inwardly deformable hook end andallowing the hook end to expand after passing therethrough. The inwardlydeformable hook end can be located on the mounting arm with the slotlocated on the rotating member. Alternatively, the inwardly deformablehook ends can be located on the rotating member with the slot located onthe mounting arm. A screwable fastener can attach the deformable hookends in place. A deformable means such as a rubber gasket can be locatedbetween the snap means and the rotating member for vibration isolationand enhanced fit between the components.

When assembling the embodiments, the ceiling fan motor housing androtating member (endshield) can usually first be hung from a ceiling.Next the installer can simply hold the pre-connected mounting arm andfan blade with one hand and guide the mounting arm until the tip portionof the fasteners enters into the mateable slot openings.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of a presently preferred embodimentwhich is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a prior art view of a blade with mounting arm attached to aceiling fan motor and rotor.

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment of the slipand lock fasteners, novel grommet washer, mounting arm, and rotor usedfor the subject invention.

FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of an assembled slide and lockfastener and associated components of FIG. 2A along arrow A after beingassembled and detached.

FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of the slide and lock fastener of FIG. 2Bwith the protruding member on the blade arm and the slot on the rotor.

FIG. 2D is a view of the flat-headed fastener screw of FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2E is an enlarged view of the slide and lock fastener of FIG. 2Cwith the protruding member on the rotor and the slot in the mountingarm.

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a quick installsnapable mounting arm for attaching to the rotor of a ceiling fan.

FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the mounting arm and rotor ofFIG. 3A being attached together along arrow D.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of the inwardly deformable snap fastener androtor of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 3D is an enlarged view of the inwardly deformable snap fastener ofFIG. 3C.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the third embodiment of a removable quickinstall snap fastener on the rotor of a ceiling fan that attaches to amounting arm and deformable gasket therebetween.

FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the mounting arm and rotor ofFIG. 4A being attached together along arrow G.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the snap fastener of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 4B with the removablesnap fastener initially attached to the mounting arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention indetail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown since theinvention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment 100 of theslip and lock fasteners 120, 120′, grommets 130, 130′, mounting arm 110,and rotor 20, 25 used for the subject invention. FIG. 2B is a sidecross-sectional view of an assembled slide and lock fastener 120 andassociated components of FIG. 2A along arrow A after being assembled andattached. FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of the slide and lock fastener ofFIG. 2B with the protruding member 120 on the blade arm 110 and the slot115 on the rotor 120, 125. FIG. 2D is a view of the flat-headed fastenerscrew 120 of FIG. 2C.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, a mounting arm 110 has one end 114 connectedto blade arms (not shown). End 114 can be connected to blade armssimilar to that shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, mounting arm 110 can beconnected to detachable slide and lock blade fasteners such as thosedescribed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/200,607 filed Nov. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,171,059, and U.S. application Ser. No. 08/851,501 filed on May 5,1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,306, both by the same assignees as that ofthe subject invention, which are both incorporated by reference. End 112of blade arm 110 has dual through-holes 115. Each through-hole 115, 115′has a circular indentation on the top surface 117, of the arm 110 forallowing a lower lip portion 132 of a rubber type gasket 130 to belocated therein. Through-holes 115, 115′ can have a threaded interiorwall for receiving the threaded shaft 125 of flat headed screw fastener120. The upper surface 123 of the flat portion 122 of fastener 120 canhave be formed with a regular head. Phillips head, and the like surface,to allow the fastener 120 to be screwed into mounting arm end 112. Thebottom 129 of fastener 120 can have a Phillips head or regular headscrew surface to allow a user to remove the fastener 120 once theceiling fan embodiment 100 has been installed. Deformable means 130 canbe a single rubber gasket having a cylindrical lower lip portion 132, acylindrical mid-portion 134, and an upper cylindrical lip portion 136,which can be used as a vibration isolator between the ceiling fan rotor20 and the mounting arm 110. The mid-portion 134 of gasket 130 is fitwithin through-holes 115, 115′ with upper lip portion sandwiched betweenthe flat head 122 of fastener 120 and the end shield 125. Although twogaskets 130 and 130′ are shown, one gasket could be used where thegaskets are connected by a single connecting upper lip portion 136.Alternatively, only the lip portions 136 of the gaskets 130 can be usedas washers for vibration isolation, and so forth. Once the protrudingfasteners 120, 120′ and their respective gaskets 130, 130′ are attachedto mounting arm end 112, the entire mounting arm 110 is raised and theflat heads 122 of the protruding fasteners are inserted upward in thedirection of arrows B1 and B2 into the larger openings 26, 26′ of thekey-hole slots and the mounting arm 110 is pulled outward in thedirection of arrow C until the heads 122 of fasteners 120, 120′ andupper lip portions 136 of gaskets 130, 130′ slide into smaller key-holeslot openings 28, 28′ where the tight fit of the exterior ofmid-portions 134 of gaskets 130, 130′ locks the mounting arms in place.An optional spring clip 140 similar to that described in U.S. Ser. No.09/200,607 filed Nov. 30, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,059, and U.S.application Ser. No. 08/851,501 filed May 5, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.6,010,306, both by the same assignees as that of the subject invention,which are both incorporated by reference, can be used to further lockthe mounting arms 110 in place on the endshield bottom 25 of rotor 20.Although two protruding fasteners and two slots are shown for eachmounting arm, the invention can be practiced with one protrudingfastener and slot, and three or more protruding fasteners and slots.

FIG. 2E is an enlarged view of the slide and lock fastener of FIG. 2Cwith the protruding member fastener 150 initially attached to the rotorend shield 125 and the through hole 115 mounting arm end 112. Themounting arm 110 can then be attached similar to that previouslydescribed above.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of a second embodiment 200 of a quickinstall snapable mounting arm 210 for attaching to the rotor 20, 25 of aceiling fan. FIG. 3B is a side cross-sectional view of the mounting arm210 and rotor 20, 25 of FIG. 3A being attached together in the directionalong arrow D. FIG. 3C is an enlarged view of the inwardly deformablesnap fastener 220 and rotor 20, 25 of FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D is an enlargedview of the inwardly deformable snap fastener 220 of FIG. 3C.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, mounting arm 210 can have one end 214connected to ceiling fan blades similar to that shown in FIG. 1.Alternatively, blade connection end 214 can be attached to detachableslide and lock blade fasteners such as those described in U.S. Ser. No.09/200,607 filed Nov. 30, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,059, and U.S.application Ser. No. 08/851,501 filed on May 5, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No.6,010,306, both by the same assignees as that of the subject invention,which are both incorporated by reference.

Mounting arm end 212 can include two upwardly projecting inwardlydeformable fasteners 220, 220′. Each of the fasteners 220, 220′ can havetwo identical sides separated by a continuous space 220 therebetween.For example, fastener 220 can have two upwardly projecting narrow baseshafts 222, 223, two side extending hook edges 224, 225 and twonarrowing sloped tip portions 226, 227. Protruding fasteners 220, 220′can be raised upward in the direction of arrows E1, E2 through circularslot openings 205, 205′ so that tip portions 226, 227 inwardly bend inthe direction of arrow F towards one another, followed by hook edges224, 225 expanding outward about raised lips 206 of opening 205.

Although two fasteners 220, 220′ are shown, the invention can includethree or more protruding fasteners. Also, similar to the previousembodiment, the fasteners can likewise be located on the bottom of theendshield 25 of rotor 20, with the slot openings on the end 212 of themounting arm 210. The fasteners and the endshield/rotor, and/or thefasteners and the mounting arm can be made from the same materials suchas but not limited to injection molded plastic, and the like.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the third embodiment 300 of a removablequick install snap fastener 320 on the rotor 20, 25 of a ceiling fanthat attaches to a mounting arm 310 and deformable gasket 330therebetween. FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view of the mounting arm310 and rotor 20, 25 of FIG. 4A being attached together along arrow G.FIG. 4C is a side view of the snap fastener of FIG. 4B.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, mounting arm 310 has an end 314 that connectsto ceiling fan blades similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively,blade connection end 314 can be attached to detachable slide and lockblade fasteners such as those described in U.S. Ser. No. 09/200,607filed Nov. 30, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,059, and U.S. applicationSer. No. 08/851,501 filed on May 5, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,306,both by the same assignees as that of the subject invention, which areboth incorporated by reference. End 312 has a centrally locatedrectangular through-hole slot 315 and two upwardly projecting guideposts 314, 316 each having sloping sides with a narrower tip to awidening base. A rubber type gasket washer 330 can have openings for theguide posts 334, 336, an opening 335 of the snap fastener 320, with thewasher 330 being located between the snap fastener 320 and the mountingarm end 312 for allowing vibration isolation therebetween. The snapfastener 320 includes a flat base 322, 322′ having a through-hole 325therebetween. A first prong has a vertical portion 324 parallel to thesecond prong's vertical portion 324′, dual oppositely extending hookledges 326, 326′ and inwardly bending tip ends 328, 328′. A screw typefastener 329 having a regular or Philips head screws through hole 325 toconnect fastener 320 to interior threaded opening 302 in endshield 25 ofrotor 20. Next gasket 330 can be positioned about guide posts 314, 316on mounting arm end 312. Next mounting arm 310 can be raised upward sothat guide posts 314, 316 can be inserted in the direction of arrows H1and H2 to pass through openings 304 and 306 in the bottom of endshield25 or rotor 20. Simultaneously prong tip ends 328, 328′ pass in thedirection of arrow H 3 into slot 315 and inwardly bend toward oneanother in the direction of arrow I, until hook ledges 326 pass thoughand abut against the lower surface of mounting arm 312. After beingfully assembled, a user can merely take a screw driver to the head offastener 329 to remove the mounting arm 310 from the ceiling fan.

FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 4B with the removablesnap fastener 320 initially attached to the mounting arm 312. In FIG.4D, through-hole 315′ in mounting arm end 312 is large enough to receivethe shaft of a long screw type fastener 329′, and prongs 328, 328′ offastener 320 pass through an enlarged slot opening 302′ in the bottom ofendshield 325. Similar to FIGS. 4A-4C, mounting arm 310 can be raiseduntil prong ends of fastener 320 pass into and hook within slot opening302′ in the ceiling fan mounting endshield 25.

While both the second and third embodiments show each snap fastener ashaving two halves which can bend toward one another, the invention canbe practiced with only one hook end that is bendable.

Although the embodiments show and describe mounting arms separate fromthe ceiling fan blades, the invention can be practiced where themounting arm and ceiling fan blades are one and the same. For examplesingle combined mounting arm and ceiling fan blade made from injectionmolded plastic and the like.

While only the third embodiment is shown using alignment guide poles,both the first embodiment and the second embodiment can includealignment guide poles so that only one fastener needs to be used.Additionally, guide posts can be downwardly extending from the bottom ofthe endshield for being inserted into mateable openings in the mountingarm.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shownin various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it haspresumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be,nor should is be deemed to be, limited thereby and such othermodifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings hereinare particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth andscope of the claims here appended.

1. A method of assembling a ceiling fan, comprising the steps of:providing a ceiling fan motor with a rotating member; providing aplurality of keyhole shaped slots adjacent to the motor, each keyholeshaped slot having a wide opening and a narrow opening; providing aplurality of mounting arms, each mounting arm having an interior endadapted to be attached to the rotating member and an exterior endextending away from the rotating member, the interior end of eachmounting arm having upwardly protruding members each with an enlargedhead; providing a plurality of ceiling fan blades, each ceiling fanblade having a connecting end and an exterior end, a respectiveconnecting end being attached to a respective exterior end of arespective mounting arm; inserting the protruding members into the wideropenings of the keyhole shaped slots; sliding the ceiling fan bladesradially away from the ceiling fan motor so that portions of theprotruding members slide into the narrow openings of the keyhole shapedslots.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sliding step furtherincludes the step of: locking the ceiling fan blades to the motor bysliding the protruding members with the enlarged heads into the narrowopenings of the keyhole shaped slots.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinthe protruding members include at least two upwardly projectingprotruding members in each of the interior ends of each mounting arm. 4.A ceiling fan comprising: a motor having slots adjacent to the motor; aplurality of mounting arms each having a mount end with upwardlyprojecting protrusions, wherein each slot receives a single upwardlyprojecting protrusion and is locked in place, each upwardly projectingprotrusion includes a threaded fastener; and a plurality of fan blades,each respective fan blade being attached to another end of each mountingarm.
 5. The ceiling fan of claim 4, wherein each of the slots arekeyhole shaped.
 6. The ceiling fan of claim 4, wherein each upwardlyprojecting protrusion includes: an enlarged head.
 7. The ceiling fan ofclaim 6, wherein each of the enlarged heads includes: a substantiallyflat head.
 8. The ceiling fan of claim 4, wherein the mount end has acurved shape.
 9. The ceiling fan of claim 4, wherein each motor mountend includes: at least two upwardly projecting protrusions.
 10. Aceiling fan comprising: a motor having slots; and a plurality ofmounting arms each having a mount end with upwardly projectingprotrusions, wherein each slot receives a single upwardly projectingprotrusion and is slipped in place, each upwardly projecting protrusionincludes a threaded fastener; and a plurality of fan blades, eachrespective fan blade being attached to another end of each mounting arm.11. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein the slots are keyhole shaped.12. The ceiling fan of claim 10, wherein each upwardly projectingprotrusion includes: an enlarged head.
 13. The ceiling fan of claim 10,wherein the motor includes: a lower surface with the slots arranged inthe lower surface of the motor.